Tybee Island firefighters shift to new schedule for better work-life balance

TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. (WTOC) - A new schedule change for Tybee Island firefighters is allowing them to get more rest and spend more time with family and friends.

It’s also cutting the number of days firefighters have to commute to the island in half.

“We’re trying to improve the work family balance here as much as possible,” explained Tybee Island’s Fire Chief Justin McMillian.

Instead of working one full day on and then two full days off, Tybee Island firefighters now work two days with four days off to follow.

To firefighter Johnny Williams, the new change means more time enjoying his life outside of work, while still getting a full week’s work in.

“I wake up at home and just spend more time with family and friends,” Williams said.

Williams has been with the Tybee Island Fire Department for nearly five years, despite living an hour away. He says the atmosphere and other firefighters make the commute worth it.

“I like...the family, like vibe we have here,” Williams said.

He says the new shift allows him to make less treks to the island, saving him gas money.

Chief McMillian says that played a factor into the schedule change.

“What it effectively does is it cuts your commute to work in half for the entire year, because you get to come here and stay for two full days and then go home for four,” McMillian said.

The shift change also allows more time with family, a huge benefit for firefighters who are parents like Chris Epley.

“I can get things done around the house, spend more time with the kids and my wife, and hopefully in the future, have more time to take more trips,” Epley said.

The change isn’t just beneficial for firefighters, but people living on and visiting the island. McMillian says it allows the department to plan ahead for big events and busy weekends.

“We can set these things up for a fourth of July weekend and we don’t have to do so much moving around that we had to do before,” he said.

While the Fire department isn’t hiring right now, the chief says this schedule shift makes them a more desirable workplace, which will help once positions open up.